Improved powder-flask for breech-loading guns



D. MOORE. Powder Flask and Charger.

Patenfed Oct. 31, 1854-.

Unrrnn Starts ATENT tries,

IMPROVED POWDER-FLASK FOR BREECH-LOADING GUNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. li,?i, dated October31, 1854.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL MooRn, of Williamsburg, in the county ofKings and State of New York, have invented, made, and applied to use acertain new and useful Improvement in Powder-Flasks for use withBreech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operationof the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part ofthis specification, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of thepowder-flask, and Fig. 2 is a section, the same as in use with abreech-loading gun.

The like marks of reference designate the same parts in both figures.

The nature of my said invention consists in so fitting a powderfiaskthat the same can be used as aramrod to force in a ball or slug from thebreech, and, in the operation or" withdrawing the same, to leave therequired quantity of powder behind the ball to fill up to thebreech-pin, whereby the use of any peculiar breech-loading cartridge isdispensed with, and the cuttingoff the rear of a cartridge avoided, andbreech-loadingfire-arms rendered available in hunting, and places whereregular cartridges cannot be obtained or made.

a is the powder flask or receptacle, with the cap b, thumb-piece 1,cut-offslide 2, and spring 3, as usual; and these parts may be of any desired size or form. 0 is a pipe connected to the cap b, and 4 is a guideor mark thereon to indicate how far to enter the pipe into the barrel.WVith almost all kinds of breech-loading fire-arms this flask can bemost conveniently used when the pipe is bent, as shown in Fig. 2.

In using this flask the gunner inclines his hand sufficiently down ward,andhavingopened the breech drops the ball 5 in, and then takes hispowder-flask, forces the ball into the barrel d the required distance,which should be so proportioned to the size and length of the pipe 0that the contents of said pipe willjust fill the chamber behind theball. As he forces the ball in he also presses the thumb-piece 1, whichallows powder to run in and fill the pipe 0, which powder, as hewithdraws the flask, runs out and fills the chamber, ready for thebreech to be closed and the piece fired. With rifles the ball should beforced home to the commencement of the riflinggrooves, and

with muskets the ball should be patched,

so as to fit tightly into the barrel.

The end of the pipe 0 may be formed with a flange or head, as shown bydotted lines, and the guide 4 may be made adjustable, if desired.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s- The method hereindescribed and shown of loading firearms from the breech by means of thepipe 0, so constructed and attached to the powder-flask that the sameforms a ramrod to force the ball into the barrel the required distance,and at the same time measure thepowder for filling the chamber behindthe ball, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 19th day ofSeptember, 1854.

DANIEL MOORE.

